September 14, 2026 - Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes
Notice Type(s)
Notice,
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
September 14, 2026 06:30 PM
Event End Date & Time
September 14, 2026 08:55 PM
Event Deadline Date & Time
09/14/26 06:30 PM
Description/Agenda
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MOUNTAIN
GREEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
September 14, 2026
6:30 P.M.
4565 WEST OLD HIGHWAY ROAD
MOUNTAIN GREEN, UTAH 84050
NOTE: these Minutes are not intended as a verbatim transcript of the issues discussed at the meeting of the Board of Trustees. Rather, they are intended to reasonably summarize and highlight the substantive discussions of the issues set forth in the Agenda. The Board of Trustee meeting were recorded. Should you wish to listen to the recording of these events, please contact Tim Barnes, Chairman at MGFD.tbarnes@gmail.com and/or 801-695-0724 and a mutually convenient time and place will be arranged to listen to the recording.
Trustee Barnes called the meeting of the Board of Trustees to order.
Members of the Board of Trustees of the Mountain Green Fire Protection District in attendance:
Tim Barnes
Rici Johnson
Saul Grasteit
In attendance from Operations were: Chief Brian Brendel, Doug Dingman and Golden Barrett
One member of the public present for meeting: David Speters
Trustee Barnes asked if any in attendance had a conflict of interest in the matters being discussed at the meeting or otherwise. All present indicated they had no conflict of interest.
The Agenda was reviewed. Trustee Johnson made a motion to approve the Agenda; Trustee Grasteit seconded the motion; the motion was approved by the Trustees.
The next matter concerned approving the Minutes for the July 13, 2026 meeting of the Board of Trustees.. Trustee Barnes confirmed that the preliminary Minutes had been distributed to all the Trustees and Chief Brendel. Trustee Barnes asked if anyone had any comments or questions about the Minutes. No one had any comments or questions about the minutes. Trustee Johnson then made a motion to approve the Minutes; Trustee Grasteit seconded the Motion. The motion was approved.
the next Trustee meeting for November 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.. All present indicated they planned on attending the November 2, 2026 meeting.
Trustee Barnes asked if any members of the public had any comments they would like to make. No one came forward with any comments.
The Board then proceeded to discuss the following Agenda items:
All Trustees and leadership team were given packets with inserts that included all reports reviewed and discussed on agenda items below.
Agenda Item No. 1: Fraud Risk Assessment Review - As per State Requirements
Trustee Barnes asked all trustees and leadership team to look at the 2026 Fraud Risk assessment in their packet. All items were reviewed line by line and discussed. On Item 3A we were informed that Rici Johnson has an accounting degree, and we could have added 10 points to our total giving us 280 points. With this change our Risk level would still be in the moderate category. We will add this to our total in 2027 if Trustee Johnson is still on the trustee board.
Trustee Barnes utilized fraud risk assessment as an education tool to improve trustee and leadership knowledge and to prevent fraud.
Agenda Item No. 2: AUP 2025 Review/Action Plan
Agreed-Upon procedures audit. Trustees and leadership had copies in their packet for reference and review. Trustee Barnes reviewed all pages of the audit and gave recognition for passing many aspects of the audit. Trustee Barnes highlighted areas not in compliance and the action plan associated with each of those areas. All trustees and leadership received AUP audit and action plan.
Agenda Item No. 3: 2025 Completed Financial Report / 2025 Expenses vs. Actual
Trustee Barnes reviewed the completed financial report and 2025 Budget Expense vs. actual for year-end 2025. Total expenses were in line with budget.
Agenda Item No. 4: 2026 Account Balances YTD / Expenses vs. Budget
Trustee Barnes reviewed 2026 budget vs. actual report through June 2026. Report was not complete by our accounting firm for last meeting. Through June 2026, total budget is under due to staffing needs. We cannot fill all the shifts. Income is over projection for 2026 due to additional property tax income and building inspection income. Most categories for expenses are under budget except for Firefighter Response and medical supply categories. The taxes collected in December 2025 and used for the 2026 budget were added to the report.
Trustee Barnes also reviewed 2026 budget vs actual report through August 30, 2026. District is still on budget for the year.
Agenda Item No. 5: Chief's Report and Staffing Update
Many fires our fire fighters responded to in our area during the 2026 fire season due to the low precipitation during the winter and the drought in the summer.
Chief Brendel reviewed results for number of calls and incident recap. In addition, the chief covered training and staffing update. The MGFPD has had a significant increase in calls which have included major incidents including structure fires, traffic crashes and medical emergencies.
Chief Brendel has done a great job partnering with other fire districts to add to the safety of our community. Chief Brendel and Golden Barrett have a fluid relationship with adjacent fire districts which is imperative to operational success. The sharing of ideas and information in invaluable to assessing current and future needs. In the event of a major incident, other fire districts will assist our community and we will assist them when needed.
Staffing is a major concern with resources responding to many fires throughout the state. The volume of calls is increasing for our district and increased coverage will be needed to meet the needs of the community. Chief Brendel and Golden Barrett will review options, upcoming budget needs and scheduling options to best serve our community.
Agenda Item No. 6: Fire House Expansion Update - Electric, Contractor
Golden Barrett presented update on the fire house expansion. Electric power station has been moved to the front of the station and updated with more capacity to accommodate future needs of the fire station.
Golden presented architectural plan for the addition to the current station. To save cost, the exterior will be like current materials. The expansion will include three additional equipment bays. Plans were reviewed with fire fighters for ideas and comments and those ideas were used in the architectural plans. New plans include renovating current fire station, adding OSHA required standards, new technology to assist in response time and fire fighters' accommodations.
Construction could start in 2027 depending on contractor timeline and bond financing.
Agenda Item No.7: Website Operational Process Fee Update
New website is working well. We were able to streamline the payment system for impact fees and service fees. This has saved time for residents that previously had to write checks for payment. Payments and documentation are now sent directly to the bank and accounting firm for more current and secure processes.
Trustee Barnes asked that impact fee payments are kept separate and maintained on previously used spreadsheet to make filing required State of Utah Impact Fee consistent.
Agenda Item No. 8: MGFPD Bylaws including Election and Trustee Appointment Process
Trustee Barnes gave update on election process to fill trustee positions. He has been partnering with the Morgan City clerk, State of Utah Lt. Governors office, our district lawyer and the Utah service district lawyers for solution. We do have bylaws for our service district. In the bylaws, it states that our district election process uses the state statues. As outlined in these statues, the trustees can appoint a replacement for a trustee that has moved away from our service district until the next scheduled election cycle for that position.
The position that opens due to end of four-year term on January 1, 2027, will be replaced based on recommendation from the State of Utah Lt. Governor's Office. Rici can continue his position until we have clarification on filling the position and getting the position on the correct election cycle. Elections should be spaced two years apart. If Rici needs to leave, we will post the position and appoint a replacement from the candidates that apply.
Agenda Item No. 9: Trustee Vacancy application review and Appointment
1. Chair opened agenda item No. 9 and stated the purpose of the items. The purpose is to interview candidates for the open trustee position and fill the position if a qualified applicant is identified.
2. Chair confirms the number of applications received and ensured all the trustees have had an opportunity to review the application materials.
3. Each candidate is invited to introduce themselves and explain their interest.
4. Trustee can ask same core questions of each candidate. Follow up questions may be asked as appropriate.
5. After candidate questioning is complete, the Board receives any public input applicable to the appointment process. No public comment was given.
6. The chair closes the public input and return the matter to the Board.
7. Trustees deliberate regarding the candidate(s) and their qualifications.
8. The chair enters the motion regarding appointment.
9. After a motion and a second, the board conducted and discussions before a vote. A vote was cast by all trustees and a unanimous decision to appoint David Speters to replace Saul Grasteit effective immediately. Saul will train David for his position as treasurer of the MGFPD.
10. The appointment of David Speters is approved for the appointment to the MGFPD Board of Trustees.
11. Trustee Barnes will make changes to the district records, the website and access to tools needed to perform the position.
12. David verbally and also signed and completed the Oath of office. David then signed the conflict-of-interest form for the service district. Lastly, David signed the Ethical Behavior Pledge Form (from Office of the State Auditor).
Agenda Item No. 10: New Business
- Staffing concerns and new schedule that may include longer shifts (12 hours), staffing up to three fire fighters during the week and other options. Chief Brendel may need additional funding to accommodate service demands. Trustee Johnson made a motion to allow Chief Brendel to utilize additional payroll funds if needed and partner with the trustees. Trustee Barnes seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Due to call outs during the year, there are funds available to accommodate needs without going over 2026 budget and additional funds may not be needed.
- Golden Barrett noticed that we do not have a residential inspection fee on our website and that this was overlooked during website design. Trustee Johnson made motion to add a $50 residential fee to our website. Trustee Barnes seconded the motion. The motion passed.
- Payment for the website design has not been paid. A motion by trustee Barnes was made to pay the $1500 website design. Trustee Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Agenda Item No. 11: Adjournment
Trustee Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:55 PM. Trustee Speters seconded the motion - the motion passed.
TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT TIM BARNES, TRUSTEE at BARNES.T1@COMCAST.NET OR 801-695-0724.
APPROVED THIS ____ DAY OF September __, 2026.
_________________________ ________________________ ______________________
David Speters, Trustee. Tim Barnes, Trustee Rici Johnson, Trustee
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Tim Barnes @ 801-695-0724.